Water driven hoop toy



June 20, 1967 w RK WATER DRIVEN HOOP TOY Filed Dec. 21, 1964 INVENTOR.W/AL/AM 4 awe/e5 ran 4 56, 441/0555 a @AMJAPAL United States Patent3,326,551 WATER DRIVEN HOOP TOY William A. Clarke, 211 Demmick, Venice,Calif. 90291 Filed Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 419,899 7 Claims. (Cl.272-74) This invention relates to water powered toys, and has particularreference to a water driven hoop adapted to rotate while providing awater spray in the plane of the hoop so that a person may jump throughthe hoop hence through a sheet of water spray while it is turning.

In theory, such a device as outlined above seems simple. However,considerable difficulty is encountered between theory and practice whenit is discovered that the desirable design characteristics for apractical water hoop are competing and mutually inconsistent in that thesolution to one problem tends to defeat the solution to the other. Forexample: the hoop and its support must be of very inexpensiveconstruction, for otherwise it has no value to the public as a toy. Forappeal, it is a practical necessity that the hoop be constructed ofplastic. It is found, however, that a thin tubular hoop having adiameter of say 4 feet is a highly unstable structure due to the weightof the water and due to its sensitivity to the direction of the jetswhich form the water spray. The hoop must take advantage of the averagewater pressure available from a normal garden hose both to provide thespray and to produce a moderately slow turning motion. And, the hoop,its support, and its turning motion must be chosen so that the device isnot a hazard; for example, so that the hoop does not trip a personjumping through it, so that the structure will be stable yet will yieldwith the impact of a persons body easily enough to prevent harm to theperson and to the toy.

I have achieved a design which incorporates a unique compromise incompeting design characteristics, and which I believe provides for thefirst time a practical toy of this nature. In accordance with myinvention, the water driven hoop is adapted to turn about a verticalaxis. The hoop is mounted atop a stand for rotation about a verticalaxis coincident with the diameter of the hoop. The hoop has a pluralityof fine spray holes therein spaced around its inner periphery andoriented toward the center of the plane of the hoop. The hoop has atleast two lateral drive holes therein, oriented approximately normal tothe plane of the hoop. The lateral drive holes are spaced on oppositesides of the vertical axis and face in opposite directions from theplane of the hoop. A water passageway communicates with the interior ofthe hoop through the mounting means which supports the hoop on thestand.

By mounting the hoop for rotation about a vertical axis, a relativelyshort non-hazardous stand may be employed which maintains the hoop lowto the ground, and water jets may be employed to produce a moderatelyslow turning action about the vertical axis. All taken together, thehazard of tripping or damaging the person or hoop by impact or falling,is greatly reduced.

Mounting the hoop close to the ground for rotation about a vertical axisincreases the problem of stability, and is as well an invitation for theperson to step on the hoop as they jump through it. In one embodiment ofmy invention I have solved these problems, while permitting a veryinexpensive plastic construction, by providing the hoop with asubstantially flat area extending around its inner periphery. This helpsoppose the troublesome instability factor of the hoop tending to bendover in its own plane under the weight of the water, and greatlyfacilitates and reduces the cost of the manufacturing process forproviding accurately oriented spray holes around the inner periphery ofthe hoop.

3,326,55 l Patented June 20, 1967 In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the hoop is a composite of a hollow base member of relativelyheavy construction forming a substantial lower section of the hoop andan elongated curved tubular member of relatively light constructionforming the major and upper section of the hoop. This permitsessentially a two piece construction for the hoop, and provides aseparate base member which is relatively strong to support the weight ofthe hoop, and one which can conveniently include a mounting fitting andwhich provides a place for a person to step when going through the hoop.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the lateral drive holes areformed in the base member, since their size, location and orientation isvery sensitive and should not depend on the assembly process. The basemember has an arcuate curvature with a plurality of spray holes formedon the inner periphery of its arc, so that the hoop as a whole iscircular with continuous spray around its periphery.

A considerable problem is solved in the preferred embodiment of theinvention by virtue of the elongated tubular member having asubstantially uniform approximately D shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration, with the hollow base member having recesses in itsopposite ends of approximately D shape cross-sectional outline whichreceive the opposite ends of the tubular member in mating engagement,This provides a very stable support in opposition to the hoops tendencyto bend over in its own plane.

The base member may be of molded plastic so as to conveniently andaccurately incorporate the needed features, whereas the large extent ofthe hoop may be formed by the relatively thin wall tubular member ofextruded plastic. I have found that ordinary plastic is not suited forthe elongated tubular member clue to the weight of the water and thenecessity for a thin wall construction. In my experiments I havediscovered that high impact styrene or a polypropylene plastic, bothvery hard materials of high density, are practical for a hoop of thistype.

An appreciation of additional factors which affect the hoopsconstruction and its operation may be obtained from the follwingdetailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thewater driven hoop toy of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in section, illustratingthe structural connections between the tubular hoop member, the hollowbase member, and the stand;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustratingthe cross-sectional configurations of the tubular member and the basemember; and,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating themating ends of the tubular member and base member as Well as theorientation of a typical drive hole.

Referring now to the drawings, a hoop 10 is mounted on top a stand 12for rotation about a vertical axis 14 coincident with the diameter ofthe hoop. A plurality of fine spray holes 16 are spaced evenly aroundthe inner periphery of the hoop and are accurately oriented toward thecenter of the plane of the hoop. At least two lateral drive holes 18, 20are formed in the hoop on opposite sides of the vertical axis 14. Thedrive holes 18, 20 are oriented approximately normal to the plane of thehoop, and face in opposite directions from the plane of the hoop. Thejets of water shown issuing from the fine spray holes 16 provide a waterspray in the plane of the hoop through which a person may jump, and thejets of water issuing from the drive holes 18, 20 produce a moderatelyslow turning motion of the hoop about the vertical axis 14.

The circular hoop, 10 is formed as a composite of a hollow base member22 of relatively heavy construction and an elongated curved tubularmember 24 of relatively light construction. The base member 22 forms asubstantial bottom section of the hoop, and the elongated curved tubularmember 24 forms the major and upper section of the hoop.

The elongated tubular member 24 is of extruded polypropylene or highlyimpact styrene plastic, and has a uniform D-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration, with the fiat of the D disposed on the inner periphery 26of its curvature. As best seen in FIG. 3, the tubular member 24 is arelatively thin walled member having a wall thickness A of inch, anexterior height B (measured perpendicular to its inner periphery 26) ofinch, and an exterior width C (measured parallel to its inner periphery26) of inch.

The base member 22 preferably is molded from the same plastic selectedfor the tubular member 24, and has recesses 28, 30 in its opposite endsof approximately D shape cross-sectional outline which receive theopposite ends of the elongated tubular member in mating engagement. Themating opposite ends of the tubular member 24 and base member 22 arepermanently secured by conventional cement.

Generally, the base member 22 has an external crosssectionalconfiguration which is D shaped to match that of the tubular member, butis larger in size. The base member has a greater wall thickness which,at its minimum point D as the typical end recess 30, is inch. The wallthickness of the base member increases by inch interiorly of therecesses 28, 30, so that abutments 32, 34 are provided which serve tolocate the opposite ends of the tubular member, and so that there is asmooth bore transition between the tubular member and the base member tominimize water turbulence. The wall thickness of the base member isfurther increased interiorly adjacent its center for purposes ofstructural reinforcement, and a depending mounting fitting 36 is formedcentrally on the bottom of the exterior peripheral side of the basemember. This fitting 36 has a bore 38 which communicates with theinterior of the hollow base member and which is threaded at its outerend.

The base member has an overall arcuate curvature which matches that ofthe tubular member 24 to form a circular hoop of a diameter of 4 feet.The base member occupies a substantial bottom section of the hoop,measuring overall approximately 11, inches arcuate distance centered onthe vertical axis 14, which divides the base member into two arms of alength E of /2, inches each.

The drive holes 18, 20 are molded in the base member at a distance F of3% inches from the axis 14. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 4, eachdrive hole is oriented outwardly from normal to the axis and plane ofthe hoop 'by a small angle 0 of to degrees, which I find to provide abetter and more stable driving action. Where only two drive holes 18,are used, each operating through a lever arm of 3% inches measured fromthe axis 14, I find that inch is the best comprise diameter for thesedrive holes. Of course, water pressure at different homes may vary, andif necessary these drive holes may be drilled to a larger size oradditional drive holes may be drilled if more driving action is needed.This expedient, however, must be balanced against the prospect of asufficient water pressure to maintain a proper spray through the holes,and the toy probably will not work properly where the water pressure isvery low, say below 40 to 50 lbs. per square inch.

Like the tubular member 24, the base member has the flat of its Dconfiguration disposed on its inner arcuate periphery 40, and the finespray holes 16 are formed as well around the arcuate periphery of thebase member.

In my experiments, I find that a uniform spacing G of 4 inches betweensuccessive spray holes 16, with a spray hole diameter of inch, isoptimum. A closer spacing reaches the point of reducing the usable waterpressure below the average available.

The stand 12 comprises a molded plastic mounting block 42 into which theends of a curved heavy wire base ring 44 are potted. The heavy wire ring44 is generally of circular configuration, which I find should be of adiameter of approximately 16 inches.

A conventional tubular swivel 46 which includes an outer sleeve 48 and arotatable inner sleeve 50, serves to secure the hoop to the stand. Theupper end of the inner sleeve 50 of the tubular swivel 46 screws intothe threaded bore 38 of the mounting fitting 36 depending centrally fromthe hollow base member 22, and is fixed for rotation therewith. Theouter sleeve 48, at its lower end, screws into a threaded bore 52provided in the mounting block 42, and is fixed therewith. A tubular nut54 and associated sealing ring 56 are mounted at the lower end of theinner sleeve 50, the nut 54 screwing interiorly into the lower endof'the inner sleeve 50, and being adjustably fixed for rotationtherewith. Y

The threaded bore 52 comprises the upper end of a water passageway 58which extends through the mounting block 42 and opens through the sidewall 60 of the mounting block in a threaded bore 62 which is sized toreceive a conventional garden hose fitting64 and washer 66. Thus, whenwater from the garden hose 68 is turned on, it passes from the gardenhose fitting 64 through the passageway 58, through the tubular swivel 46and into the hollow base member 22 and around the elongated tubularmember 24, with water issuing from the drive and spray holes.

Thus, I have provided a water driven hoop which consists essentially offive easy to assemble parts: the wire base ring 44, the mounting block42, the conventional tubular swivel 46, the hollow base member 22 andthe elongated tubular member 24.

The stand 12 may be very short compared to the diameter of the hoop,such that the hoop is supported ver close to the ground.

Iclaim:

1. A water driven hoop adapted to turn about a vertical axis whileproviding a water spray in the plane of the hoop, comprising a tubularhoop of a diameter suitable for a person to jump through it, a stand forsupporting the hoop, means mounting the hoop on the stand for rotationabout a vertical axis coincident with a diameter of the hoop, the hoophaving a plurality of fine spray holes therein spaced around its innerperiphery and oriented toward the center of the plane of the hoop, andalso having at least two lateral drive holes therein orientedapproximately normal to the plane of the hoop, said lateral drive holesbeing spaced on opposite sides of said vertical axis and facing inopposite directions from the plane of the hoop, and means defining awater passageway communicating with the interior of said tubular hoopthrough the mounting means.

2. A water driven hoop adapted to turn about a vertical axis Whileproviding a water spray in the plane of the hoop, comprising a tubularhoop of a diameter suitable for a person to jump through it, a stand forsupporting the hoop, means mounting the hoop on the stand for rotationabout a vertical axis coincident with a diameter of the hoop, the hoophaving a substantially flat area extending around its inner peripherywith a plurality of fine spray holes spaced along said area and orientedtoward the center of the plane of the hoop, the hoop also having atleast two lateral drive holes therein oriented approximately normal tothe plane of the hoop, said lateral drive holes being spaced on oppositesides of said vertical axis and facing in opposite directions from theplane of the hoop, and means defining a water passageway communicatingwith the interior of the hoop through the mounting means.

3. The Water driven hoop of claim 2 wherein the hoop includes a hollowbase member of relatively heavy construction forming a substantial lowersection of the hoop and an elongated curved tubular member of relativelylight construction forming the major and upper section of the hoop.

4. The water driven hoop of claim 3 wherein the elongated curved tubularmember has a substantially uniform approximately D shapedcross-sectional configuration, with the fiat of the D disposed on theinner periphery of the curved tubular member, and wherein the hollowbase member has recesses in its opposite ends of approximately D shapecross-sectional outline which receive the opposite ends of the elongatedtubular member in mating engagement.

5. The water driven hoop of claim 3 wherein the hoop has a diameter ofabout 4 feet, wherein the elongated curved tubular member is of extrudedplastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and highimpact styrene and has a relatively thin wall thickness, and wherein thehollow base member is of molded plastic and has a substantially greaterwall thickness than the elongated tubular member.

6. A water driven hoop adapted to turn about a vertical axis whileproviding a spray in the plane of the hoop, comprising a tubular hoop ofa diameter suitable for a person to jump through it, the hoop includinga hollow base member of relatively heavy construction forming asubstantial lower section of the hoop and an elongated curved tubularmember of relatively light construction forming the major and uppersection of the hoop, the base member and the elongated tubular memberhaving mating opposite ends so that taken together they form a completehoop, a stand having a height which is small compared to the diameter ofthe hoop, mounting means including a tubular swivel coupled centrally tothe base member for mounting the hoop on top the stand for rotationabout a vertical axis coincident with a diameter of the hoop, the hoophaving a plurality of fine spray holes therein spaced around its innerperiphery and oriented toward the center of the plane of the hoop, thebase member having at least two lateral drive holes therein orientedapproximately normal to the plane of the hoop, said lateral drive holesbeing spaced 0n opposite sides of said vertical axis and facing inopposite directions from the plane of the hoop, and means defining awater passageway communicating with the interior of the hoop through themounting means.

7. The Water driven hoop of claim 6 wherein the hollow base member hasan arcuate curvature from end to end, with a plurality of said finespray holes being formed in its wall at spaced locations along its innerarcuate periphery.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,790,732 2/1931 Tichava 239-2513,107,916 10/1963 Cooper 272 74 3,170,171 2/1965 Mayhew et al. 272-1FOREIGN PATENTS 99,033 11/1961 Norway.

OTHER REFERENCES The Evening Star, Washington, DC, Apr. 27, 1965, pageB22, Skip-A-Roo.

RICHARD C. PlNKHAM, Primary Examiner. A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A WATER DRIVEN HOOP ADAPTED TO TURN ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS WHILEPROVIDING A WATER SPRAY IN THE PLANE OF THE HOOP, COMPRISING A TUBULARHOOP OF A DIAMETER SUITABLE FOR A PERSON TO JUMP THROUGH IT, A STAND FORSUPPORTING THE HOOP, MEANS MOUNTING THE HOOP ON THE STAND FOR ROTATIONABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS COINCIDENT WITH A DIAMETER OF THE HOOP, THE HOOPHAVING A PLURALITY OF FINE SPRAY HOLES THEREIN SPACED AROUND ITS INNERPERIPHERY AND ORIENTED TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE PLANE OF THE HOOP, ANDALSO HAVING AT LEAST TWO LATERAL DRIVE HOLES THEREIN ORIENTEDAPPROXIMATELY NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF THE HOOP, SAID LATERAL DRIVE HOLESBEING SPACED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID VERTICAL AXIS AND FACING INOPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM THE